THRISSUR: Noted Malayalam writer, screenwriter, and actor, 81-year-old Madampu Sankaran Namboothiri, popularly known as Madampu Kunjukuttan, died on May 11. He was under treatment at Aswini Hospital in Thrissur after he tested positive for the COVID 19 infection. 

Late Savithri Antharjanam was his wife. The couple has two daughters named Jaseena Madampu and Haseena Madampu.

Kunjukuttan, who also had other age-related ailments, got admitted to hospital on May 9 night, following fever and breathing difficulties.

He had written screenplays for movies Makalkku, Gourishankaram, Saphalam, Karunam, and Deshadanam. He had won the National Award for the Best Scriptwriter for the film Karunam, directed by Jayaraj, in 2000.

Kunjukuttan has also acted in movies Anachantham, Pothan Vava, Vadakkunnathan, Agninakshatram, Kattu Vannu Vilichappol, Karunam, Agnisakshi, Deshadanam, Aaram Thampuran, Aswathamavu, and Chitrasalabham.

His novel Bhrashtu, which won Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award portrayed the ill practices of the patriarchal system in the Namboodiri community. The novel told the real-life story of Kuriyedathu Thathri, who was expelled from the Namboodiri community.

Kunjukuttan had also contested as a BJP candidate from the Kodungallur assembly constituency in 2001. It is during this election campaign that he said, "I am a Hindu Communist."

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his condolences and said that the writer"s demise will be a great loss to Malayalam literature and culture.

His funeral will be held on May 11 evening at Madampu Mana, Kizhanelloor, Thrissur. The government has ordered that police honours be given at his funeral.